The EU does not need Turkey in its current state as a member

The EU does not need Turkey in its current state as a member

07 July 2017

Concerning the adoption of the progress report on Turkey from Rapporteur Kati Piri by the European Parliament, Gregor Gysi, President of the European Left (EL), declares:

“It is right to suspend the negotiations with Turkey about an admission to the EU. It is as well right to clearly voice the critique towards President Erdogan concerning his treatment of the political opposition. It may not be that the restriction of the freedom of speech and the increasingly autocratic course of Erdogan stays without consequences. The EU does not need Turkey in its current state as a member.

It is also true, however, that fundamental conflicts in the region, like the question of Cyprus as well as the war in Syria, can’t be solved without Turkey. But this may not be the foundation of negotiations about an admission to the EU. The point here is about the rule of law and democracy, which Erdogan violates increasingly. With this, he also antagonizes Turks more and more.”